1. Minority Groups in the U.S.
Chapter 9 Section 3
Minority Groups in the U.S.

2. American Dilemma
The is a gap between what people claim to believe and how they actually behave
Many Americans use the original settlers as the image of the dominant group in society-White, Anglo-Saxon Protestant (WASP) that does not reflect the multicultural reality
Minority groups often prosper based on how well they align themselves to the WASP image

3. African Americans Make up more than 12% of the population
One of the largest minority groups in the U.S.
Experience has been uniquely shaped by slavery, discrimination, and segregation
Civil Rights Movement (50s-60s) brought significant social and economic gains for the African-American community
Negative trends in education, employment, and income have long-reaching effects
Environmental racism-racial bias in environmental policies

4. Hispanic Americans Make up more than 16% of the population
Tremendous growth between
Replaced African Americans as the largest minority group in the U.S.
Hispanic have become a major political group in states such as New York, California, Texas, and Florida
Hispanics struggle in employment and education.
Poverty rate is more than 2x the rate among white Americans
Highest high school dropout rate

5. Asian Americans Make up close to 5% of the population
3rd largest minority group in the U.S.
Fastest growing ethnic group
Commitment to education leads to higher income rates
Success in achieving educational and economic security has led to more social acceptance
“Model minority”
Asian Americans experience very low levels of poverty
Many suffer from stress, mental illness, depression, and suicide attempts

6. Native Americans
History is shaped by changing U.S. governmental policies
2.9 million Native Americans live in the U.S.
55% live on reservations
45% live in or near urban areas
Native Americans face the greatest challenges of any minority group
Native Americans struggle in employment, poverty, health, and education
50% are unemployed, 25% live below the poverty level
Rate of alcohol related death is 7x higher than that of the entire population
Less than 14% have graduated from college
Pan-Indianism is a social and political movement for different Native American groups to work together on issues that affect all Native Americans

7. Other groups
White ethnics- Catholic groups from Europe (Ireland, Italy, Greece, Poland, etc.) faced open discrimination at the hands of the Protestant majority; often formed ethnic neighborhoods to hold on to ethnic traditions
Jewish Americans- ethnic identity is based on religion; often faces anti-Semitism or discrimination and prejudice against Jews
Arab-Americans- Arab Americans are a very diverse group in language, culture, and religion. Doe to recent events and growth of terrorism, Arab-Americans often face discrimination and hate crimes

8. Homework
Pg. 224 #1-5